Page 34 of Off Limits Billionaire

“Thanks to you,” I told her with a chaste kiss. “Are we ready?”

Her eyes beamed with a vigorous nod, “Yes. It’s all set.”

The clock had been set up near the center of the room, and had a gold silk sheet draped over it to hide it from prying eyes. With Anabella’s hand in mine, we headed toward it. Standing next to the clock, everyone’s attention turned to us as I spoke. “I want to thank you all for coming out to celebrate the love my parents have shared for over 40 years. High school sweethearts that turned into a family and the continued growth of our family legacy. In honor of that, I—”

“Us too!” Cam and Brett shouted from the bar.

Julie added, “Me too.”

I shook my head and continued with a chuckle, “Sorry, my siblings and I all chipped in to gift our parents with this embodiment of their timeless love.”

Anabella unveiled the piece to the crowd of my parents’ family, friends, and colleagues. After giving a brief history and details about the clock, everyone came forward to take a closer look. Anabella’s friend Sonia went into curator mode, making sure people didn’t get close enough to ruin any of Ana’s hard work.

While a crowd gathered, my eyes traveled to find the source of a heated discussion. The sharp tongue of August Pierce boomed, “See?! Just like an Adler taking all the credit for our Bella’s work! This is exactly why we should’ve never come to this party. Anabella, get your things and your brothers. We will not stay here and be disrespected. Your craft deserves to be recognized.”

Ana sighed as we headed to the table where my grandfather stood, shouting his rebuttal. “You bitter old man. Our Marcus would never disregard or besmirch the name of a good laborer!”

“Laborer?!” Gran-gran clutched her chest with offense. “Our granddaughter isnotsome common laborer here to do your families grunt work. She’s an artist! What does your grandson do … evict harmless animals from their habitats to raise sun-blocking skyscrapers? A corporate marauder!”

“Gran-gran,” Ana interjected. “That’s not what’s happening. Grandpa Augie, please calm down.”

“Never! Let’s go! PAUL! HUNTER!” the old man screeched above the noise of the guests.

“Enough.” I stated firmly. When they continued to bicker, I slammed my hand against the table which quieted the entire room. Only, I didn’t care who heard me at this point. “You all need to hush and listen to me!”

“Oh great, Mr. Big and Greedy, hogging all the spotlight—"

“Grandpa Augie,” Ana shot him a glare that silenced him so I could finish.

“I love Anabella Pierce, and one day I’m going to ask her to marry me, so you all need to get this out of your system because this feud ends tonight and will not follow our families into our future! My parents are here celebrating their love and all I want is the same thing in thirty-something years. And by the way, not only am I giving Ana all the credit for the Godschalk restoration, she’s going to lead the restoration of several pieces for the museum I’m building. So, either get on board and get along, or get used to the idea of being around one another because there’s nothing in this world that’s going to stop me or keep me from loving this woman.”

“Aww, damn it, Marcus,” Ana cursed with her eyes welling with what I hoped were happy tears. “Nothing’s going to stop you huh?”

I turned to her, hooking a finger under her chin and kissing her for all to see. “I nearly took a bullet for you. I told you, Pierce, you’re priceless.”

EPILOGUE

Marcus

One Year Later

When the bell chimed over the door of Priceless Pierce, I expected to see Ana’s beautiful smile, but got Paul’s forced one instead. His smile still annoyed me, although it was an improvement to his usual scowl. We’d settled our differences—technically—we didn’t have a choice in the matter, since Ana had threatened to cut everyone off unless they got behind her dating me.

I really didn’t like how she used ghosting as a tactic, but at least I knew it wasn’t reserved for just me.

“All set?” I asked him, peering over his shoulder and around the shop to make sure Ana wasn’t lurking around any corners.

Paul nodded and extended his hand to shake mine. “We’re all set. I told Ana that my phone was glitching and to track our Saint Germain purchase to make sure it arrived at the warehouse. Lucky and Hunter are there, ready to destroy the air tag tile so it forces her to come investigate, and then boom. You two are engaged to be married. Right?”

“As long as she says yes. Thanks man. She’s not easy to surprise, and I just want this to be perfect you know?”

“I do.” He smiled, “Thank you for not breaking her heart, or anything else. It would have sucked to know we could have actually gotten along, but had to start feuding all over again because you hurt my sister. Just know that the breaking of the bones still stands through marriage.”

“Shut up!” I hushed him, and left him to tend to the shop while I got myself ready for the night.

The grand opening of my private museum collection was about a week away. Tonight, we'd all agreed to a private viewing for my wealthier clients, but it was a ruse to get Anabella in the room in her best dressed gown.

The entire space had been transformed by Nina and Sonia. White chiffon ribbons were draped around the ceiling with tons of candles lighting the intimate corners. The lights were low, so Anabella wouldn’t recognize the faces of everyone we cared about together in a single room.

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